Calder Street Sandstone

I was invited in November 2015, to take a photo at Auchinraith Primary School, something interesting from days gone by, now in the playground.

Two of the 4 sandstone blocks, once saying “Blantyre Parish School Board” on the front of the former school, were salvaged in 2010 and are now used as a benches for the children of the new school.

It looks in good condition, the Blantyre block being in prominent position across from the Police Station, the other block behind this and nearby. Like saving the bell, it’s good to see at least a nod was given to the location of the previous school, which was attended by so many people over the years, since opening in 1912. Calder Street School was demolished in Summer 2010, with the new school (Auchinraith Primary) constructed later that year and into the next. Thank you to the staff for the invite for this photo.

P.s Andra McAnulty had put forward a proposal to use concrete blocks or the like to build the school, to save money, but was outvoted. The design of Calder Street School was the product of an Architects competition in 1909. Eight architects asked to design to a budget of £10,000 (an impressive £1million in todays money). The winner was announced on Christmas Eve 1909. Construction started in 1910 using red sandstone obtained from Corncockle Quarry in Dumfriesshire. The school was completed and opened in 1912.

Source of Quarry information: Gordon Cook. (thanks!)

2010 Calder Street School (PV)

2015 Calder St sandstone block (PV)

On social media:

Robert McLeod-Wolohan i had the pleasure of attending calder street secondary during the mid 60s, with teachers the likes of mr bradford, otherwise known as ( wee brick ) then there was wee roby, mrs cameron, wee lizzie byres and mr mcmillan to name just a few. very fond memories of attending it. but sadly they pulled it and took part of blantyres history away

Marion Anderson I remember all of those teachers well from the ’60’s …I also went to the old Auchinraith primary

Robert McLeod-Wolohan so did i marion lol then i went to blantyre high school before going to calder street. such a small world lol

Marion Anderson Sure is!

The Blantyre Project Back in 1910, Andra McAnulty had put forward a proposal to use concrete blocks or the like to build the school, to save money, but was outvoted.

The design of Calder Street School was the product of an Architects competition in 1909. Eight architects were asked to design to a budget of £10,000 (an impressive £1million in todays money). The winner was announced on Christmas Eve 1909.

Construction started in 1910 using red sandstone obtained NOT locally, as you may have read elsewhere, but from Corncockle Quarry hauled in all the way from Dumfriesshire. The school was completed and officially opened in 1912.

Jeanette Allardyce Ward I remember those teachers from Blantyre High. Was taught by wee brick an wee Lizzie, she remembered teaching my dad too 

Marion Anderson Jeanette Allardyce Ward Are you related to Robert Allardyce who now lives in W.A.?

Jeanette Allardyce Ward I know my dad has a cousin Robert who emigrated many years ago. My dads name is Tom, he has brother Jim, Billy who passed away a few years ago, sister Helen. Their parents were Tom and Elizabeth (Lizzie/Tizzy) x

Marion Anderson My brother and Robert Allardyce were mates at school and still are in Western Australia they are both over 70 now

Jeanette Allardyce Ward Would be good to know if it’s the same Robert Allardyce. My dad is 72 now and he’s the youngest. I’m sure is Australia his cousin emigrated to. I thinks Roberts dad was also Robert (Rab) x

Etta Morrison Also attended Auchinraith primary and Calder St..remember all named teachers and Mrs Davidson french teacher..know Allardyce ’89 from Hamilton but originally Blantyre their sons are Scott and Stuart who golf with my hubby..

Jeanette Allardyce Ward Stewart and Scott are my cousins. Jim an Ella are their parents x

Jeanette Allardyce Ward Marion Anderson my dad said yes that it’s the same Robert Allardyce X

Traci Smith I was at Blantyre High from 75 – 80 and always remember Mr Bradford you would never mess in his class but he was certainly one of the best. I think Mrs Byres was still teaching as well. Will never forget hearing Mr Monteith shouting at a student because they had walked on the grass between the Music Building and the Main .

Anne Mackie My husband remembered Wee Brick He only had one arm but if you got the belt he could sure swing it xxxxxx

Isobel Paterson Mrs Macloud domestic teacher Mrs Simpson needle work lol yrs ago 

Rachel Black Kerri Alexander Robbie Mckean Lauraa Blck Back in the day haha

Elizabeth Wallace I also remember those teachers as well as wee Joe (Headmaster) Mr Penny maths wee Lizzie Mrs MacDonald (new English rooms) Miss Moore music blinky and wee brick unfortunately I can’t remember the name of the other teacher in the room next door who also had only one arm

Jim Frame Mr. Anderson they called him hawny Johnny

Betty Armstrong Think the teacher next to wee brick was Mr McDermott also remember Mrs McCalmont and Miss Wotherspoon Was there 1968 to 1971

Elizabeth Wallace Well remembered Betty

Carol Crombie Mr McDermott! Hated him with a passion.

The Blantyre Project Mrs McCalmont was still in Blantyre High in 1983, leaving that year to retire.

Etta Morrison In the early sixties there was a line drawn in playground one side for boys the other side girls and you were not allowed to cross it x

Trisha Mcginty I cried the last day of the old Acuhinraith Primary, my mum used 2 go the school it was her high school & my family went 2 it through out the years, my 2 daughters grew up in that school, so it was a End of a Long past of time 4 my family 

Margaret Farmer My dad attended Calder Street in the 1910’s or 1920’s. I attended first year of high school there before the first Blantyre High was constructed.

Jim Frame Was at calder street from 74 till 78 great school

John James I went to Calder street when it was Aucinraith primary… My P2 photo…